Systems and methods for holding media disks

ABSTRACT

A media disc holder includes a spindle that fits within the spindle holes in a stack of media discs. The spindle has a free end and a strap end and has at its free end a mouth leading into a cavity extending axially through the spindle. The media disc holder further includes a latching member having a free end and a strap end. The latching member is shaped to fit within the spindle cavity. The latching member is engaged by inserting the free end of the latching member into the mouth at the free end of the spindle and sliding the latching member into the cavity. The latching member is disengaged by sliding the latching member out of the cavity through the spindle mouth. A strap has a first end attached to the spindle strap end and a second end attached to the latching member strap end. The strap is dimensioned to secure a stack of media discs loaded onto the spindle when the latching member is engaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of packagingsystems, and more particularly to advantageous aspects of systems andmethods for holding media discs.

2. Description of Prior Art

Media discs, including compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs),and the like, are becoming increasingly popular. It is not uncommon formusic lovers to carry dozens of CDs at a time to provide a wideselection of discs from which to choose for playing on a portablelistening device or on an automobile CD player. However, a stack ofmedia discs can be unwieldy.

Various types of media disc holders have been developed, typicallyincluding a set of sleeves or pockets for holding individual mediadiscs. However, these media disc holders can prove to be both expensiveand physically bulky, particularly for consumers who own large numbersof media discs. In addition, it is desirable for a media disc holder tobe as compact as possible, to allow a stack of media discs to becarried, for example, in a backpack, handbag, or other small enclosure.

There is thus a need for an inexpensive, compact media disc holder thatcan hold a large number of media discs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other issues are addressed by the present invention, aspectsof which provide systems and methods for holding media discs. A mediadisc holder according to an aspect of the invention includes a spindlethat fits within the spindle holes in a stack of media discs. Thespindle has a free end and a strap end and has at its free end a mouthleading into a cavity extending axially through the spindle. The mediadisc holder further includes a latching member having a free end and astrap end. The latching member is shaped to fit within the spindlecavity. The latching member is engaged by inserting the free end of thelatching member into the mouth at the free end of the spindle andsliding the latching member into the cavity. The latching member isdisengaged by sliding the latching member out of the cavity through thespindle mouth. A strap has a first end attached to the spindle strap endand a second end attached to the latching member strap end. The strap isdimensioned to secure a stack of media discs loaded onto the spindlewhen the latching member is engaged.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a media disc.

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of a stack of media discs.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of a media disc holder according to afirst aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the media disc holder shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a spindle for use in a media discholder according to a further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a latching member for use in a mediadisc holder according to a further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a partial cross section of the media disc holder shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross section of a media disc holder according toa further aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 9-11 are a series of cross sections illustrating the operation ofthe media disc holder shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for holding media discsaccording to a further aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a media disc 10, such as a CD or a DVD, notdrawn to scale. The media disc 10 includes a spindle hole 12. FIG. 2shows a stack of media discs 14, similar to the media disc 10 shown inFIG. 1. When the media discs are stacked on top of each other, thespindle holes line up with each other to form a cylindrical tunnel 16that extends axially through the stack of media discs 16.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of a media disc holder 20 according to afirst aspect of the invention. FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective viewof the media disc holder 20 shown in FIG. 3. The disc holder 20 includesa spindle 30 having a free end 32 and a strap end 34. The spindle 30 isshaped to fit within the cylindrical tunnel formed by a stack of mediadiscs, such as the tunnel 16 illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular, thespindle 30 is shaped to allow a user of the invention to load mediadiscs onto the free end of the spindle 30 one or more at a time and alsoto remove media discs from the spindle 30 one or more at a time. Ifdesired, it would be possible to add a flange or other structure at thestrap end 34 of the spindle 30 to prevent media discs that are beingloaded onto the spindle 30 from traveling beyond the strap end 34.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the spindle 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape.However, it will also be seen that other spindle shapes may be usedwithout departing from the invention. For example, it would be possibleto use a polygonal or star-shaped profile that fits within the tunnel ina stack of media discs.

The disc holder 20 further includes a latching member 40, having a freeend 42 and a strap end 44. The latching member 40 is shaped such that itmay be slid, starting at its free end 42, into and out of a receivingcavity 36 in the spindle 30. The receiving cavity 36 starts at a mouthat the free end of the spindle 30 and extends axially down the length ofthe spindle 30. According to the present aspect of the invention, thelatching member 40 and receiving cavity 36 are substantially cylindricalin shape. However, it will be apparent that any of a number of differentshapes may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Further according to the present aspect of the invention, the latchingmember 40 is formed from a tube, and has a cavity 46 extending axiallytherethrough. However, it will be apparent that it would also bepossible to use a solid latching member 40 without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

The media disc holder 20 further includes a strap 50 that has a firstend that is attached to the spindle strap end 34 and a second end thatis attached to the latching member strap end 44. According to thepresent aspect of the invention, the spindle strap end 34 and thelatching member strap end 44 are provided with respective eyelets 38 and48 that are used to attach the strap 50. A first end 52 of the strap 50is threaded through the spindle eyelet 38. The portion of the strap 50that has been threaded through the eyelet 36 is referred to herein asthe “threaded portion” of the strap 50. The portion of the strap 50 thathas not been threaded through the eyelet 36 is referred to herein as the“non-threaded” portion of the strap 50. In attaching the strap 50, thethreaded portion of the strap 50 is folded back onto the non-threadedportion of the strap 50, and then mounted into position using a suitablefastener 56, such as a metal clip. The second end 54 of the strap 50 isattached to the latching member eyelet 48 in similar fashion using asecond fastener 58. As shown in FIG. 4, the clips 56 and 58 may beinitially flat, and then folded around the strap 50 using a suitablefolding or crimping device. FIG. 4 shows illustrative score lines 60,62, 64 and 66 for folding the clips 56 and 58 around the strap 50. Ifdesired, the clips 56 and 58 may be provided with teeth or othersuitable structure to grip the strap 50.

According to the present aspect of the invention, the strap 50 isresiliently elastic. To use the disc holder 20, a stack of media discsis loaded onto the spindle 30, and the strap 50 is stretched around thestack of media discs. The free end of the latching member 40 is insertedinto the spindle receiving cavity 46, and the latching member is sliddown the length of the receiving cavity until the latching member 40 isfully seated within the spindle 30. The length of the strap 50 is chosensuch that, after the latching member 40 is seated within the spindle 30,there remains some tension in the strap 50. Friction between the spindle30 and the latching member 40 prevents the latching member 40 fromaccidentally releasing from the receiving cavity 46. In addition, a“twist lock” feature, not shown, may be incorporated into the structuresof the spindle 30 and latching member 40 to lock the latching member 40in position within the spindle 30. The operation of a media disc holderaccording to the present invention is fully illustrated in FIGS. 9-11and discussed below.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the strap 50 is providedwith markings that divide the stack into separate, visually identifiableregions 70-74. The markings 70-74 may be woven directly into the strap,or may be applied to the strap using a suitable printing or applicationprocess. These visually identifiable regions 70-74 allow a user of themedia disc holder 40 to sort and search through a stack of media discsmore efficiently. In addition, the strap may be provided with a surfaceupon which the user may write, or affix an identifying label.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of a spindle 80 and latching member90 according to a further aspect of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 5and 6, instead of eyelets, the spindle 80 includes a pair of slots 82and 84 at opposite sides of its strap end 86. Similarly, the latchingmember 90 includes a pair of slots 92 and 94 at opposite sides of itsstrap end 96. The slots 82, 84, 92 and 94 are dimensioned to closelyreceived ends of a strap, such as the strap 50 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross section illustrating the attachment of the strap 50 tothe spindle 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and discussed above. According tothe present aspect of the invention, the same technique is used toattach the strap 50 to the latching member 40. It should be noted thatdifferent attaching techniques may be used for attaching the strap 50 tothe spindle 30 and to the latching member 40 without departing from thespirit of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, an end of the strap 50 isthreaded through the eyelet 30. The threaded portion of the strap 50 isthen folded back over the unthreaded portion of the strap 50, and theend of the strap 50 is then attached to the unthreaded portion of thestrap 50 using a metal clip 56.

FIG. 8 is a cross section illustrating the attaching of a strap 150 tothe spindle 80 shown in FIG. 5 and discussed above. The same technique,or a different suitable technique, may be used to attach the other endof the strap 150 to the latching member 90 shown in FIG. 6 and discussedabove. As shown in FIG. 8, an end of the strap 150 is threaded into afirst slot 82, through the interior of the spindle 80, and out the otherslot 84. The threaded portion of the strap 150 is then folded back overthe unthreaded portion of the strap 150, and the end of the strap 150 isthen attached to the unthreaded portion of the strap 150 using a metalclip 156, or other suitable fastener.

FIGS. 9-11 show a series of cross sections illustrating the operation ofa media disc holder 220 according to the present invention. The mediadisc holder includes a spindle 230, a latching member 240, and a strap250. The spindle 230 includes a free end 232 and a strap end 234. Thelatching member 240 also includes a free end 242 and a strap end 244. Afirst end of the strap 250 is attached to the spindle strap end 234, anda second end of the strap 250 is attached to the latching member strapend 244.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the spindle 230 includes at its strap end 234 aflange 235, and the latching member 240 includes at its strap end 244 asecond flange 245. The spindle flange 235 prevents media discs fromtraveling beyond the end of the spindle 230. The spindle flange 235 isuseful, for example, during the loading of the media disc holder 220.Similarly, the latching member flange 245 prevents media discs fromtraveling beyond the end of the latching member 240. As shown in FIGS.9-11, the flanges 235 and 245 lie flat against the media discs at thetop and bottom of the stack 214. It should be noted that the flanges 235and 245 may have different shapes and dimensions without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. For example, it would be possible to useflanges 235 and 245 that extend only slightly beyond the outercircumferences of the spindle 230 and latching member 240.

As shown in FIG. 9, a stack of media discs 214 has been loaded onto thespindle 230 by inserting the spindle 230 through the spindle holes ofthe media discs in the stack 214. This can be accomplished, for example,by holding the spindle 230 in one hand, and using the other hand to loadmedia discs onto the spindle 230 one or more at a time. If desired, atable or other suitable nearby surface can be used to temporarily holdmedia discs to be loaded onto the spindle 230.

As shown in FIG. 10, once the spindle 230 has been loaded with mediadiscs, the strap 250 is wound around the outside of the stack of mediadiscs 214. This may be accomplished, for example, by using a free handto grasp the latching member 240 and pull it around the stack 214. Asmentioned above, according to an aspect of the invention, the strap 250is resiliently elastic and durable, such as a bungee-type material.Thus, in wrapping the strap 250 around the stack of media discs 214, thestrap 250 will typically be stretched, as needed.

Once the strap 250 has been wound around the stack of media discs 214,the free end of the latching member 250 is then inserted into the mouthat the spindle's free end 232, and the latching member 240 is then sliddown the length of the spindle's receiving cavity 246. If a “twist lock”feature, mentioned above, has been implemented, the latching member 240would be twisted within the receiving cavity 246 to lock the latchingmember 240 in position.

FIG. 11 illustrates the stack of media discs 214 after the latchingmember 240 has been fully seated within the spindle 230. It will be seenfrom FIG. 11 that in the loaded media disc holder, the strap 250 extendsradially outward from the spindle and latching member strap ends 234 and244 towards the outer circumference of the stack 214, and furtherextends down one side of the stack's outer circumference.

To release the media discs from the media disc holder 220, theabove-described steps are reversed. First, if the disc holder 200includes a twist lock feature, the latching member 240 is twisted torelease it from the spindle 230. The user of the media disc holder maygrasp the stack of media discs 214 in one hand, with the latching memberstrap end 244 pointing upward. The user would then use the other hand topull the latching member 240 out of the spindle receiving cavity 246.This may be accomplished any number of ways. For example, the user maywork a finger from the free hand under the strap 250, and then use thestrap 250 to pull the latching member 240 free.

Once the latching member 240 has been pulled free, the user may allowthe latching member 240 to dangle underneath the stack of media discs214. The user may then use the free hand to remove media discs from thestack 214, either singly or in groups. The user may wish to use a nearbysurface, such as a table or dashboard, to temporarily hold discs removedfrom the stack.

It will be seen that, where the latching member is formed from a tube,such as in the present example, the latching member 240 includes aninterior cavity 246 that may serve as a small, cylindrical compartment.This compartment may be used, for example, to hold a writing implement,or a piece of paper containing identifying information.

According to an aspect of the invention, when the latching member 240has been fully seated in the spindle 230, the strap 250 is stillslightly stretched, thus applying a certain amount of tension around thestack of media discs 214. This tension is useful in preventing theindividual media discs in the stack 214 from shifting. Also, tension inthe strap 250 tends to increase friction between the latching member 240and the interior surface of the spindle 230. This increased frictiontends to prevent the latching member 240 from accidentally pulling outof the spindle 230. It should be noted that although FIGS. 9-11illustrate a stack of media discs 214 that completely fills the spindle230, it would also be possible to use the media disc holder 220 to holda shorter stack of media discs.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method 300 according to a further aspectof the invention. In step 302, a stack of media discs is loaded onto aspindle having a free end and a strap end. The spindle is attached by astrap to a latching member having a free end and a strap end. The strapis attached to the strap ends of the spindle and the latching member. Instep 304, the strap is pulled around the stack of media discs. In step306, the free end of the latching member is inserted into a mouth in thefree end of the spindle. Finally, in step 308, the latching member isslid down the length of a receiving cavity in the spindle.

While the foregoing description includes details which will enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognizedthat the description is illustrative in nature and that manymodifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilledin the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordinglyintended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claimsappended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly aspermitted by the prior art.

1. A holder for media discs having spindle holes therethrough,comprising: a spindle fitting within the spindle holes the media discsare arranged in a stack, the spindle having a free end and a strap end,the spindle having at its free end a mouth leading into a cavityextending axially through the spindle; a latching member having a freeend and a strap end, the latching member shaped to fit within thespindle cavity, the latching member being engaged by inserting the freeend of the latching member into the mouth at the free end of the spindleand sliding the latching member into the cavity, the latching memberbeing disengaged by sliding the latching member out of the cavitythrough the spindle mouth; and a strap having a first end attached tothe spindle strap end and a second end attached to the latching memberstrap end, the strap dimensioned to secure a stack of media discs loadedonto the spindle when the latching member is engaged.
 2. The media discholder of claim 1, wherein the strap is resiliently elastic.
 3. Themedia disc holder of claim 2, wherein the strap is dimensioned such thatwhen a stack of media discs is secured by the strap, there is tension inthe strap.
 4. The media disc holder of claim 1, wherein the spindlestrap end includes an eyelet, and wherein the strap is attached to thespindle strap end by threading a first end of the strap through thespindle eyelet, folding the first end of the strap back over a firstnon-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching the first end of thestrap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.
 5. The media discholder of claim 4, further including a metal clip for attaching thefirst end of the strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.6. The media disc holder of claim 4, wherein the latching member strapend includes an eyelet, and wherein the strap is attached to thelatching member strap end by threading a second end of the strap throughthe latching member eyelet, folding the second end of the strap backover a second non-threaded portion of the strap, and attaching thesecond end of the strap to the second non-threaded portion of the strap.7. The media disc holder of claim 6, further including a second metalclip for attaching the second end of the strap to the secondnon-threaded portion of the strap.
 8. The media disc holder of claim 1,wherein the spindle strap end includes a pair of slots in communicationwith each other, and wherein the strap is attached to the spindle strapend threading a first end of the strap through the spindle slots,folding the first end of the strap back over a first non-threadedportion of the strap, and attaching the first end of the strap to thefirst non-threaded portion of the strap.
 9. The media disc holder ofclaim 8, further including a metal clip for attaching the first end ofthe strap to the first non-threaded portion of the strap.
 10. The mediadisc holder of claim 8, wherein the latching member strap end includes apair of slots in communication with each other, and wherein the strap isattached to the latching member strap end by threading a second end ofthe strap through the latching member slots, folding the second end ofthe strap back over a second non-threaded portion of the strap, andattaching the second end of the strap to the second non-threaded portionof the strap.
 11. The media disc holder of claim 10, further including asecond metal clip for attaching the second end of the strap to thesecond non-threaded portion of the strap.
 12. The media disc holder ofclaim 1, wherein the spindle and the latching member are formed fromhollow tubes.
 14. The media disc holder of claim 1, wherein the strapincludes visually identifiable regions.
 15. The media disc holder ofclaim 1, wherein the spindle and latching member include flanges attheir respective strap ends to prevent media discs from traveling beyondthe ends of the spindle and latching member.
 16. A method for holding astack of media discs having spindle holes therethrough, comprising: (a)loading a stack of media discs onto a spindle having a free end and astrap end, the spindle being attached by a strap to a latching memberhaving a free end and a strap end, the strap being attached to the strapends of the spindle and the latching member; (b) pulling the straparound the stack of media discs; (c) inserting the free end of thelatching member into a mouth in the free end of the spindle; and (d)sliding the latching member down the length of a receiving cavity in thespindle.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the strap is resilientlyelastic, and wherein in step (b) the strap is stretched around the stackof media discs.